We didn’t want to do a big chingdig because we wanted something small. Besides babies don’t remember their first years and until about three. My first memories are like snippets. And lots of pictures help tell the story of your first years. Unfortunately not all of our brothers and sisters are close enough to come to celebrate Daniela’s first birthday. But that doesn’t mean that we were able to video chat with Tio Javi, Got a call from Titi Veronica, and messages from Tia Brenda and Tia Milta.
The day started very early for me as I decided to make vegan lemon cupcakes. Thank goodness I had the ingredients at home and started baking them. I made frosting and icing for the cake and cupcakes. I decided to make two separate cakes; one with frosting and one with out for the diabetics in our family.
Daniela was very clingy to me yesterday more than any other day. I was busy in the kitchen for most of the day trying to cook breakfast and lunch while frosting and icing cakes. Thank goodness Raul came down and helped out with her while she was crawling and crying over to me and using my legs to help her stand. I think that fact that she went to bed late made her extra cranky.
We also wanted to clean up and it was like a tag team effort between Raul and I. Later in the evening, Tio Tito, Great-Grandma Lydia, and Grandma Sylvette joined us. They gifted Daniela a huge stuffed doggy and a little table with an umbrella and chairs. We brought down her rocking chair and took pictures of her in it. She loved rocking by herself. Since she is still not walking at times it seemed like she wanted to get down by herself.
Grandma Migdalia and Grandpa Hector joined us a bit later and brought her a little dress for New Years. Mom told me that there is a little gift coming in the mail for her as well. It had been awhile since we actually spent time with them so it was good to see them. Daniela was a little mesmerized and afraid of dad’s mustache.
Then soon after came Daniela’s adopted grandparents, Carlos Juan and Maria del Carmen who also brought her a little dress. We were waiting for Damaris, Raul’s friend from High School and were surprised to see Raul’s friends Girlfriend who is also Damaris’ cousin Maria de los Angeles or Angie come to the house with a little gift. Angie had not seen the baby yet so Damaris and Angie were doting over her.
After waiting for everyone and redecorating outside with several ballons and a minnie mouse table cloth with minnie mouse plates and mickey mouse doll, we sang happy birthday to Daniela who was more interested in eating the cupcakes in front of her.
I changed her clothes into a shirt that she refused to keep on, tossed it and she dove into her cupcake! She was like trying to pick it up and I tore off a small piece and the girls took over in helping her eat it. She went from hand to hand and then Tio Tito put her on the floor in the yard and off she went crawling around. All the while JuanGa was in his house and he was quite calm. I think because we were all outside in the backyard, he was okay in his sanctuary. But towards the end of the night, he let out a whine and we let hime out.
I gave him a piece of cake without frosting and he tore right into it. We were grateful to have the family that came by and friends. When Daniela is old enough to pick and choose, she will have other types of celebrations.
We just want to thank everyone who has supported us this year and have been up-to-date with what Daniela has been doing. My wish is for continued health for her and us so we can celebrate more birthdays with her.